Gaza Documentary ‘Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk’ Acquired by Kino Lorber for North America (EXCLUSIVE)
Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to “Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” Sepideh Farsi’s Gaza documentary built around video calls with Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, who was killed in an Israeli missile strike one day after the film’s Cannes selection.
The deal was negotiated by Kino Lorber VP of acquisitions Karoliina Dwyer and Sebastien Chesneau of international sales outfit Cercamon. The film has already achieved a raft of global sales for Cercamon, as revealed by Variety last week.
The documentary, which made its world premiere in the Cannes 2025 ACID section and most recently screened at the 2025 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, offers an intimate, first-hand perspective on life under siege in Gaza. The film combines raw immediacy with deep humanity, portraying daily life during the conflict through the eyes of a generation caught in an endless cycle of war.
Hassona was killed in an airstrike on her home on April 16, just one day after the film’s Cannes selection was announced.
“Sepideh Farsi has crafted an intimate, courageous film that now stands as a final testament to the life of her friend, photojournalist and poet Fatma Hassona,” said Dwyer. “In the face of her tragic death and the continued destruction of Gaza, it feels more important than ever to ensure that Fatma’s story is heard. We’re honored and proud to partner with Sepideh and bring ‘Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk’ to North American audiences.”
Director Farsi described the project as “a hand stretched out towards Gaza, trying to make a film despite the physical blockade, in order to reach the human.”
“My encounter with Fatem [as Fatma was known to her friends], who became my mirrored soul, was a miracle,” Farsi said. “Her sunny smile and her photos will forever be a vivid testimony to the sufferings of the Palestinian people. I’m deeply moved to see the film released in North America by Kino Lorber, allowing Fatem’s voice and spirit to resonate far beyond the borders she was never allowed to cross.”
The film has earned strong critical praise. Reviewing the film for Variety, Siddhant Adlakha wrote: “Despite its tragic outcome, the film proves stirring in its capacity for hope against all odds, while also placing on full display the cost of occupation, portraying the full extent of the lives and dreams dashed by war.”
“Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk” is produced by Rêves d’Eau Productions, in co-production with 24images. The film is written, directed, shot, and edited by Farsi.
Kino Lorber will release the documentary theatrically followed by digital, educational, and home video release.
Iranian director Farsi experienced the revolution at 13, was imprisoned at 16 as a dissident, and left her native Iran at 18. Based in Paris, she has made some 15 films including “Tehran Without Authorization” (Locarno), “Red Rose” (Toronto), and “The Siren,” a feature animation about the Iran-Iraq war that opened Berlinale Panorama and won numerous awards.
She is currently working on “+50°,” an Iranian Western film project, and developing an animation project inspired by her life called “Memoirs of an Undutiful Girl.”
